It’s called SOON for a reason.

SOON you’ll get off the app and into the real world.

SOON you’ll be dating.

And yes, SOON you’ll find you’re one and only (hopefully).

SOON is the newest dating app to make a splash in the magical and wild world of online dating.

In this article we’re going to dive in and explain what makes SOON stand out and help determine if it’s the right dating app for you.

SOON Dating App

Launched on Valentine’s Day of 2023, SOON’s goal is to find you a partner ASAP.

While conducting interviews to understand the pain points of dating app users founders Cora Kyler and Alena Titova found that users had one big issue: no one used dating apps to actually date. 

And it’s somewhat true.

A 2019 study found that 50% of Tinder users have never gone on a date with a match. 

So if dating apps aren’t used for dating, what’s the point of swiping?

A LendEDU study found that 44% of Tinder users surveyed said they used the app for “confidence boosting reasons.” Only about 25% of respondents claimed to use the app for a romantic reason.

While other apps attempt to address this obstacle with in-depth profiles, video-call features, and digital speed dating, SOON takes a different approach.

The first message users are allowed to send after matching on SOON is a date request. 

SOON: Here’s How It Works

First, you’ll have to match. 

Then, you pick a time that works for you. 

Then you select a spot. However not any spot will do. SOON has 100 curated spots that it deems first-date worthy. These spots aren’t luxury restaurants. They’re mostly cafes, bars, and open-air date ideas. The idea being that you’re dating a stranger so why sign up to a long and potentially pricey date with someone you don’t even know.

Once you’re date proposal is sent and accepted you two will finally be able to chat.

NOTE: If you don’t respond to a date request within 24 hours the match will be cancelled.

Disclaimer:

Before reading any further there’s something you should know.

As SOON is still a new dating app, it’s has thus far only been rolled out on San Francisco. Only residents or those that frequent the Bay Area should consider downloading this app.

SOON has said that it will soon also launch in San Jose and Palo Alto.

As one of SOON’s biggest selling points is its curated list of the best first date spots in town, it makes sense that it’s expanding slowly.

Not to mention its still a new app with a slowly, but steadily, growing userbase. In July it was reported to have over 10,000 users in SF alone. While this isn’t a lot, it’s enough to consider downloading if you frequent SF.

The Profile

There’s nothing really worth writing home about when it comes to SOON’s profile creation process and features.

Here are some of the specs:

• Must choose four and only four photos to display
• Must fill out two dating prompts
• Can display your height, sign, IG, Twitter, location, gender, and glimpse preference
• Glimpses

It’s this last feature that needs further explaining.

In short a SOON profile looks like a profile you’d see on Bumble and Hinge (minus a feature of two).

The difference is what happens when you score a match.

After You Match

After you match you’re able to see your match’s Glimpse.

A Glimpse is a short self-recorded maximum 30-second video of your match answering a prompt question that they selected. Everyone sees the same Glimpse regardless of the person they match with.

The five prompts you can choose to answer include:

Remember that this is a new app. Five options aren’t many but more options will be added as the app grows.

Along with your match’s Glimpse after matching you’ll also be able to see their Go-To Spot. This is their preferred first date spot.

Lastly you will also be able to see when they’re free. Since first messages are date pitches you’ll be able to click on a time when they’re free so that you two aren’t going back and forth trying to figure out when you two will meet.

Unique Features

We’ve already written about a few features that sets SOON apart:

• Glimpses – 30-second video prompt responses accessed after a match
• First message must be a date request
• Ability to see someone else’s calendar and favorite date spot to make the asking out process easier

But there are a few more features that set SOON apart.

For one, you only have 12 swipes a day. This means you need to take your time when swiping through the many lovely profiles of SOON users. In the future this number will surely rise if you’re a paying customer, but for the moment there is only one type of membership, and it’s free.

There is also an in-app journal feature that allows you to take notes on dates you went on.

When looking at profiles you have a like, dislike, and skip option. The profile skip option allows you to keep that profile in the queue so you can take a second look at a later time.

But by far the best unique feature are the SOON events. As of now there are three types of events:

• Virtual profile consultations with 1 on 1 access to a member of the SOON team to help improve your profile
• Wednesday group blind dates which are mixers event with other SOON members
• Sunday group blind dates

SOON reports that during these mixer events, there are generally 50-100 people that attend.

Apart from Bumble I can’t think of any other dating app that offers in-person events. How many people show up to these events and what’s the vibe like? To answer those questions you’ll have to download the app and attend one yourself.

Application Only

Not everyone who apples to SOON is accepted. SOON said that of the 10,000 applications they had received by July of this year, the company only accepted about 60% of applicants.

SOON didn’t offer any advice on those hoping to make the cut, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

Now an application-only dating app might give you PTSD as you remember how you had to wait months to get approved by The League or Raya.

As this is a new app, the waiting process will probably take less than 10 minutes.

One of our emlovz students reported that he got approved in a couple of minutes.

Should You Download SOON?

SOON is by far the most direct dating app on the market.

Whereas other dating apps gamify dating to the point of preferring to swipe endlessly rather than meet their match IRL, SOON gives users no other choice.

As we know, most dating app users have never gone on a date with a match. SOON speaks to singles that want to get off the app and into the real world ASAP.

Yes it has a small user base and yes it’s only available to SF residents, but that’s part of its charm. SOON is an app that is aware of its local users, knows the dating territory, and even provides you with a list of the best spots in town for your first date. Everyone wishes an app like this was in their hometown, and who knows, maybe it will be one day.

But for now, if you’re single and in SF download the app.

If you don’t feel like SOON has enough users to satisfy your needs, fine, download a few other apps to help you expedite your search for your forever partner.